Control of mobile game play on a mobile vehicle

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a system and method for controlling mobile gaming on a vessel may have a plurality of mobile gaming devices, a location server operable to track a device position of each of the plurality of mobile gaming devices and track a vessel position of the vessel, and a mobile gaming management server configured to communicate with the location server and a gaming server, the mobile gaming management server operable to individually control whether each of the plurality of mobile gaming devices is permitted to play a game of chance based on the device position and the vessel position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/632,828, filed Oct. 1, 2012, and entitled “CONTROL OF MOBILE GAMEPLAY ON A MOBILE VESSEL,” which is hereby incorporated herein byreference, and which in turn claims priority benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/542,705, filed Oct. 3, 2011, and entitled “CONTROL OFMOBILE GAME PLAY ON A CRUISE SHIP,” which is hereby incorporated hereinby reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to cruise ships. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates generally to control ofmobile game play on a vessel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a gaming environment, determining when to allow play of a game ofchance is important to avoid breaking any gaming rules or laws. However,control of playing game of chance is difficult to monitor when game playis on a mobile device and in a movable environment, such as a cruiseship. There are national and international laws, as well as any otheruser desired criteria that need to be considered.

OVERVIEW

The invention provides for the control of mobile game play on a mobilevessel. In one embodiment, a determination of whether to permit or denyplay of the on-board game of chance may be based upon at least a globaland local device position of the mobile gaming device. In anotherembodiment, determination of whether to permit or deny play of theon-board game of chance may be based upon other predefined rules such asa time rule, captain's rule, user defined rules, and other criteria. Forexample, determination of whether to permit or deny play of the on-boardgame of chance may be based upon whether the vessel is in internationalor national waters. In another example, determination of whether topermit or deny play of the on-board game of chance may be based upon thecurrent time.

In one embodiment, a system for controlling mobile gaming on a vesselmay have a plurality of mobile gaming devices, each of the plurality ofmobile gaming device associated with a player and a location serveroperable to: (a) track a device position of each of the plurality ofmobile gaming devices, the device position being relative to the vessel;and (b) track a vessel position, the vessel position being a globallocation relative to earth. The system may also have a mobile gamingmanagement server configured to communicate with the location server anda gaming server, the mobile gaming management server operable toindividually control whether each of the plurality of mobile gamingdevices is permitted to play a game of chance based on the deviceposition and the vessel position.

In another embodiment, a method for controlling mobile gaming on avessel may include tracking a vessel position of the vessel, tracking adevice position for each of a plurality of mobile gaming devices,receiving a request to play a game of chance from at least one of theplurality of mobile gaming devices, determining whether the game ofchance is permitted to be played on the mobile gaming device, thedetermining based on at least the vessel position of the vessel and thedevice position of the mobile gaming device, and enabling the game ofchance on the mobile gaming device if the determining determines thatthe game of chance is permitted to be played on the mobile gamingdevice.

The present invention provides other hardware configured to perform themethods of the invention, as well as software stored in amachine-readable medium (e.g., a tangible storage medium) to controldevices to perform these methods. These and other features will bepresented in more detail in the following detailed description of theinvention and the associated figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate one or more example embodimentsand, together with the description of example embodiments, serve toexplain the principles and implementations.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an example block diagram of a game control system.

FIG. 2A illustrates an example diagram of a vessel position of a cruiseship.

FIG. 2B illustrates an example layout of a cruise ship.

FIG. 2C illustrates an example gaming rules table.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example method for controlling play of a game of achance on a vessel.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example method for controlling play of a gameof a chance on a vessel.

FIG. 5 illustrates another example method for controlling play of a gameof a chance on a vessel.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example block diagram of a computing device.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments are described herein in the context of control of mobilegame play on a mobile vessel. The following detailed description isillustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Otherembodiments will readily suggest themselves to such skilled personshaving the benefit of this disclosure. Reference will now be made indetail to implementations as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.The same reference indicators will be used throughout the drawings andthe following detailed description to refer to the same or like parts.

In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of theimplementations described herein are shown and described. It will, ofcourse, be appreciated that in the development of any such actualimplementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be madein order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliancewith application- and business-related constraints, and that thesespecific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from onedeveloper to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such adevelopment effort might be complex and time-consuming, but wouldnevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The invention provides for the control of on-board game of chance playon a mobile device while on a vessel. A vessel may be any movabletransport device such as an airplane, car, bus, and any vehicle in thewater, such as cruiseliners, riverboats, and the like. In oneembodiment, a determination of whether to permit or deny play of theon-board game of chance may be based upon at least a global and localdevice position of the mobile gaming device. In another embodiment,determination of whether to permit or deny play of the on-board game ofchance may be based upon other predefined rules such as a time rule,captain's rule (e.g. any user desired defined rules), and othercriteria. For example, determination of whether to permit or deny playof the on-board game of chance may be based upon whether the vessel isin international or national waters. In another example, determinationof whether to permit or deny play of the on-board game of chance may bebased upon the current time.

FIG. 1 is an example block diagram of a game control system. The gamecontrol system 100 may have a mobile gaming management server 102configured to communicate with a location server 104, a gaming server106, and a vessel server 108. The mobile gaming management server 102may be designed as an intermediary server to store data or informationsuch as mobile gaming device information, gaming rules database, playergaming accounts, and any other desired data or information. The mobilegaming device information may be stored in the mobile gaming devicedatabase 110 and may include information such as the mobile gamingdevice identification, information of the user using the mobile gamingdevice 116, programs on the mobile gaming device 116, and other mobilegaming device data. The mobile gaming device 116 may be any type ofportable mobile gaming device such as a mobile phone, a portable mediaplayer, a personal digital assistant, a portable gaming device, or anyother similar device.

The user of the mobile gaming device 116 may also have a player gamingaccount 112. The player gaming account 112 may store any informationsuch as user contact information, available funds in the player gamingaccount, and any other player information. In one embodiment, any winsfrom a game of chance played by the user of the mobile gaming device 116may be stored in the player gaming account 112.

Gaming rules may be stored in the gaming rules database 114. The rulesmay be any criteria used to determine whether to permit or deny play ofthe game of chance on the mobile device. For example, the determinationof whether to permit or deny play of the game of chance may be based onat least the device position of the mobile gaming device and thelocation of the vessel. If the device is, for example, located near thechildcare center and the vessel is in international waters, play of thegame of chance may be denied. However, if the user is sitting at a barand the vessel is in international waters, play of the game of chancemay be granted.

In another example, determination to permit or deny play of the game ofchance may also be based upon a time rule that may be predetermined bythe vessel. For example, the vessel may set games of chance to be playedbetween 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thus, if the request to play a game of chanceis made at 3 a.m., play of the game of chance may be denied. If therequest to play a game of chance is made at 12 p.m., play of the game ofchance may be permitted.

The mobile gaming management server 102 may be configured to communicatewith a gaming server 106, which may be configured to communicate withthe mobile gaming device 116. The mobile gaming device 116 may transmita request to the gaming server 106 to play at least one game of chanceon the mobile gaming device. The gaming server 106 may transmit therequest to play the game of chance to the mobile gaming managementserver 102. The mobile gaming management server 102 may then obtain adevice position and a vessel position from the location server 104.

The location server 104 may be configured to determine the location ofthe mobile gaming device 116 and the vessel. The location server 104 mayhave a global position server 118 to determine the location of thevessel relative to the globe, earth, or world. Global position server118 may use any known position or location method to determine thelocation of the vessel such as cellular positioning, triangulation,global positioning systems, or any other location or positioningdetermining method.

The location server 104 may also have a device position server 120designed or configured to determine the location of the mobile gamingdevice 116 relative to the vessel. The device position of the mobilegaming device 116 may be the position of the mobile gaming device 116relative to the vessel. The device position server 120 may use any knownposition or location method to determine the location of the mobilegaming device 116 such as cellular positioning, triangulation, globalpositioning systems, or any other location or positioning determiningmethod.

The location server 104 may have a location database 113 to store theglobal vessel position of the vessel and the device position of themobile gaming device. The vessel position and device position may beassociated with a mobile gaming device.

Mobile gaming management server 102 may also be configured tocommunicate with a vessel server 108. Vessel server 108 may beconfigured to store customer information in the passenger main accountdatabase 122. The vessel server 108 may store information such ascustomer credit card information, address, username and password, dateof birth, and any other desired information.

In use, when boarding a vessel, the passenger's information may bestored in the passenger main account 122 in the vessel server 108. Thepassenger's information may include financial information such as creditcard information, address, birth date, family members, room number, roomkey number, username and password, and any other desired or relevantpassenger information.

The passenger may be associated with a mobile gaming device 116 used toplay the game of chance. In one embodiment, the mobile gaming device 116may be provided to the passenger. In another embodiment, the passengermay utilize his own mobile gaming device 116. The passenger may requestto play a game of chance on the mobile gaming device 116. The passengermay also be authenticated and/or verified by including the passenger'susername and password with the request. However, any otherauthentication and/or verification method may be used to authenticateand/or verify the user of the mobile gaming device such as biometricverification (i.e. voice recognition, retinal scan, fingerprintverification, and the like).

The request to play a game of chance may be transmitted from the mobilegaming device 116 to the gaming server 106. The gaming server 106 maytransmit the request to the mobile gaming management server 102. Themobile gaming management server 102 may determine whether the passengerhas a player gaming account 112. If the passenger does not have a playergaming account 112, a player gaming account 112 may be created for thepassenger.

The mobile gaming management server 102 may obtain location informationfrom the location server 104. The global position server 118 maydetermine a global vessel position of the vessel. Referring to FIG. 2A,an example diagram of a vessel position of a cruise ship, the globalposition server may use any location or position determination methodsto determine the position of the cruise ship 202. Although exampleembodiments illustrate the vessel as a cruise ship, this is not intendedto be limiting as any vessel may be used such as a riverboat, and anyother movable transport device. The cruise ship 202 may be positioned orlocated in international waters 206 or national waters 204. Thus, thevessel position may be a global position relative to the world 200. Asillustrated, the cruise ship 202 is located in international waters 206.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the device position server 120 of the locationserver 104 may determine a device position of the mobile gaming device116 relative to the vessel. Referring to FIG. 2B, an example layout of acruise ship, the cruise ship 210 may have a main pool 212, pool bar 214,children's pool 216, restaurant 218, night club/bar 220, kids club orchildcare center 222, reception 224, and gift store 226 on its maindeck. Although example embodiments illustrate the vessel as a cruiseship, this is not intended to be limiting as the vessel may be a car,bus, airplane, train, riverboat, and any other movable transport device.Specific gaming areas may be predetermined on the cruise ship 210. Forexample, games of chance may be played at the main pool 212, pool bar214, and night club/bar 220 on the main deck. Games of chance may not bepermitted to be played at the children's pool 216, restaurant 218, kidsclub or childcare center 222, reception 224, and gift store 226. In oneexample, passenger A 228 may want to play a game of chance whilelounging at the main pool 212. The location server may determine thatthe device position of the mobile gaming device is at or around the mainpool area 212. In another embodiment, passenger B 230 may want to play agame of chance while at the kids club or childcare center 222. Thelocation server 104 may determine that the device position of the mobilegaming device is at or around the childcare center 222.

Referring back to FIG. 1, once the vessel position and device positionare determined, the information may be associated with the mobile gamingdevice and stored in the location database 113. The mobile gamingmanagement server 102 may request and obtain location information foreach mobile gaming device from the location server 104.

Once obtained, the mobile gaming management server 102 may determinewhether play of the game of chance is permitted on the mobile gamingdevice. The determination may be based upon the gaming rules stored inthe gaming rules database 114. For example, since passenger A is locatedat the main pool area where playing games of chance are permitted, themobile gaming management server 102 may determine that the game ofchance may be played on the mobile gaming device 116 of passenger A.

However, since passenger B is located at the childcare center whereplaying games of chance are not permitted, the request to play the gameof chance will be denied. In this embodiment, a denial message may betransmitted to the mobile gaming device of passenger B. The denialmessage may also include at least one reason for the denial of thetransfer fund request. For example, the denial message may display thatgames are chance are not permitted to be played in the childcare center.

Since passenger A is permitted to play the game of chance, the mobilegaming management server 102 the game of chance may be enabled on themobile gaming device 116. The gaming server 106 may transmit therequested game of chance to the mobile gaming device 116.

In another embodiment, the mobile gaming management server 102 may alsouser other criteria to determine whether to permit or deny play of agame of chance. For example, one criterion may be a time rule. A timestamp on the request to play the game of chance may be used to determinewhether the game of chance may be played on the mobile gaming device. Ifthe time stamp was at 3 a.m., the game of chance may not be permitted tobe played. If the time stamp was at 10 a.m., the game of chance may bepermitted to be played. The time rule may also be updated based ondifferent time zones.

In another example, one criterion may be the age of the passenger. Ifthe user information obtained from the passenger main account 122indicates that the passenger is only 18 years old, based upon certaingaming rules, the game of chance may not be permitted to be played. Itwill now be appreciated that the mobile gaming management server 102 mayuse any other desired criteria to determine whether or not to permitplay of the game of chance on the mobile gaming device 116.

FIG. 2C illustrates an example gaming rules table. The gaming rulestable may be stored, for example, in the gaming rules database 114illustrated in FIG. 1. The gaming rules table 240 may include criteriaused to determine whether to permit play of the game of chance 252 onthe mobile gaming device. Each criterion may be associated with a device242. As illustrated, the criteria may be based on device position 244,vessel position 246, and time 248.

Device 1 254 may be located at the main pool in international waters. Arequest to play a game of chance may be received at 11 a.m. Based on thedevice position, vessel position, and time rule, the mobile gamingmanagement server 102 may determine that the game of chance may beplayed on the mobile gaming device.

Device 2 256 may be located at the childcare center in internationalwaters. A request to play a game of chance may be received at 3 p.m.Based on the device position, vessel position, and time rule, the mobilegaming management server 102 may determine that the game of chance maynot be played on the mobile gaming device.

Device 3 258 may be located at the night club in international waters. Arequest to play a game of chance may be received at 11 p.m. Based on thedevice position, vessel position, and time rule, the mobile gamingmanagement server 102 may determine that the game of chance may beplayed on the mobile gaming device.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example method for controlling play of a game of achance on a cruise ship. The method 300 may begin with receiving arequest to play a game of chance from a mobile gaming device at 302. Therequest may be transferred to a gaming server, e.g. such as gamingserver 106 illustrated in FIG. 1. The gaming server may transmit therequest to an intermediary server, e.g. such as mobile gaming managementserver 102 illustrated in FIG. 1. The intermediary server may determinewhether the passenger has a player gaming account at 304. If thepassenger does not have a player gaming account, a player gaming accountmay be created for the passenger 306.

The intermediary server may obtain a vessel position of the vessel anddevice position of the mobile gaming device at 308. The vessel positionand device position may be obtained from, for example, a location servere.g. such as location server 104 illustrated in FIG. 1. The vesselposition of the vessel may be a position relative to the world. Thedevice position of the mobile gaming device may be a position relativeto the vessel.

Once obtained, the intermediary server may determine whether to permitor deny play of the game of chance at 310. The determination may bebased upon the gaming rules stored in a gaming rules database, e.g. suchas gaming rules database 114 illustrated in FIG. 1. In one embodiment,the determination whether to permit or deny play of the game of chancemay be based on at least the device position and the vessel position. Inanother embodiment, the determination whether to transfer permit or denyplay of the game of chance may be based on at least time rules, userinformation, or any other predetermined criteria.

If the intermediary server determines that play of the game of chance isnot permitted at 310, the method 300 may end. If the intermediary serverdetermines that play of the game of chance is permitted at 310, the gameof chance may be enabled on the mobile gaming device at 312.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example method for controlling play of a gameof a chance on a vessel. The method 400 may begin with the vesselposition and device position being periodically updated at 402. Thevessel position and device position may be periodically updated by alocation server, e.g. such as location server 104 illustrated in FIG. 1.Updating the vessel position and device position ensures that play ofthe games of chance, are carried out only in allowable areas,environments and times. The intermediary server may determine whetherthe game of chance may be permitted to be played on the mobile gamingdevice at 404. In one embodiment, the determination of whether the gameof chance may be permitted to be played on the mobile gaming device maybe based upon the updated vessel position and updated device position.For example, although the original device position may have been in anarea where playing games of chance is permitted, the updated deviceposition may now indicate the mobile gaming device is located at alocation where playing games of chance is not permitted. In oneembodiment, the determination of whether the game of chance may bepermitted to be played on the mobile gaming device may also be basedupon an updated time as well. For example, although the time may havebeen a time when playing games of chance is permitted (e.g. 7 am-3 am),the updated time may now indicate the mobile gaming device is beingplayed at a time when playing games of chance is not permitted (e.g. 3am-7 am).

If it is determined that the game of chance of is permitted to be playedat 404, the method may continue at 402. If it is determined that thegame of chance is not permitted to be played at 404, a terminationnotification may be transmitted to the mobile gaming device at 406. Inone embodiment, the termination notification may include at least onereason for termination of the game of chance. For example, the reasonfor termination may be based on the vessel position. The vessel may beentering into national waters from international waters. In anotherexample, the reason for termination may be because the mobile gamingdevice entered an unauthorized location where playing games of chanceare not permitted. In still another example, the reason for terminationmay be because the time restriction to end play of the game of chance isimminent. The game of chance may be terminated on the mobile gamingdevice within a predetermined time period at 408. The predetermined timeperiod may allow the player to complete play of the game of chance, cashout, and perform any other functions prior to ending play of the game ofchance.

FIG. 5 illustrates another example method for controlling play of a gameof a chance on a vessel. The method 500 may begin with receipt of arequest to play a game of chance from a mobile gaming device at 502. Therequest may include a time stamp. The request may be transferred to agaming server, e.g. such as gaming server 106 illustrated in FIG. 1. Thegaming server may transmit the request to an intermediary server, e.g.such as mobile gaming management server 102 illustrated in FIG. 1.

The intermediary server may obtain a vessel position of the vessel anddevice position of the mobile gaming device at 504. The vessel positionand device position may be obtained from a location server, e.g. such aslocation server 104 illustrated in FIG. 1. The vessel position of thevessel may be a position relative to the world or earth. The deviceposition of the mobile gaming device may be a position relative to thevessel.

Once obtained, the intermediary server may determine whether the game ofchance may be played on the mobile gaming device based upon the vesselposition at 506. If it is determined that the game of chance may not beplayed on the mobile gaming device based upon the vessel position at506, the method 500 may end. If it is determined that the game of chancemay be played on the mobile gaming device based upon the vessel positionat 506, a determination of whether the game of chance may be played onthe mobile gaming device based upon the device position at 508.

If it is determined that the game of chance may not be played on themobile gaming device based upon the device position at 508, the method500 may end. If it is determined that the game of chance may be playedon the mobile gaming device based upon the device position at 508, adetermination of whether the game of chance may be played on the mobilegaming device based upon the time stamp at 510. If it is determined thatthe game of chance may not be played on the mobile gaming device basedupon the time stamp at 510, the method 500 may end.

If it is determined that the game of chance may be played on the mobilegaming device based upon the time stamp at 510, passenger information(e.g. username and password, date of birth, and any other playerinformation) may be obtained from the passenger main account at 512. Adetermination of whether to permit the game of chance to be played onthe mobile gaming device based on player information may be made at 514.The determination of whether the game of chance may be played on themobile gaming device based upon the vessel position, device position,time stamp, or passenger information may be similar to the determinationdescribed above with respect to FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 3 and 4.

If it is determined that the game of chance may be played on the mobilegaming device based on passenger information at 514, the game of chancemay be enabled on the mobile gaming device at 516.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example block diagram of a computing device. Thecomputing device 600 can represent circuitry of a representativecomputing device (e.g. mobile gaming device, mobile gaming devicemanagement sever, location server, cruise ship server, gaming server)described and illustrated in FIG. 1. The computing device can bedesigned to primarily stationary or can be portable.

The computing device 600 includes a processor 602 that pertains to amicroprocessor or controller for controlling the overall operation ofthe computing device 600. The computing device 600 stores datapertaining to passengers, products and services, location, and the likein a file system 604 and a cache 606. The file system 604 is, typically,semiconductor memory (e.g., Flash memory) and/or one or more storagedisks. The file system 604 typically provides high capacity storagecapability for the computing device 600. However, since the access timeto the file system 604 can be relatively slow, the computing device 600can also include the cache 606. The cache 606 is, for example,Random-Access Memory (RAM). The relative access time to the cache 606 istypically shorter than for the file system 604. However, the cache 606does not have the large storage capacity of the file system 604. Thecomputing device 600 also includes a RAM 620 and a Read-Only Memory(ROM) 622. The ROM 622 can store programs, utilities or processes to beexecuted in a non-volatile manner. The RAM 620 provides volatile datastorage, such as for the cache 606.

The computing device 600 may also include a user input device 608 thatallows a user of the computing device 600 to interact with the computingdevice 600. For example, the user input device 608 can take a variety offorms, such as a button, keypad, dial, touch-sensitive surface,joystick, and the like. Still further, the computing device 600 includesa display 610 (screen display) that can be controlled by the processor602 to display information to the user. A data bus 611 can facilitatedata transfer between at least the file system 604, the cache 606, theprocessor 602, an audio coder/decoder (CODEC) 612 and/or a video CODEC615.

In one embodiment, for example, if the computing device 600 (e.g. mobilegaming device 116, cruise ship server 108, mobile gaming managementserver 102, location server 104, gaming server 106 illustrated inFIG. 1) is a mobile gaming device, the computing device 600 may store aplurality of games of chance in the file system 604. When a user desiresto have the computing device play a particular game of chance, a list ofavailable games of chance is displayed on the display 610. Then, usingthe user input device 608, a user can select one of the games of chanceto play. The processor 602, upon receiving a selection of a particularmedia item, supplies the game of chance data to one or more appropriateoutput devices. If the particular media item is encrypted, theparticular media item is first decrypted as noted above, which couldinvolve one or more layers of encryption. As an example, for audiooutput, the processor 602 can supply the media data (e.g., audio file)for the particular media item to the audio CODEC 612. The audio CODEC612 can then produce analog output signals for a speaker 614. Thespeaker 614 can be a speaker internal to the computing device 600 orexternal to the computing device 600. For example, headphones orearphones that connect to the computing device 600 would be consideredan external speaker. As another example, for video output, the processor602 can supply the media data (e.g., video file) for the particularmedia item to the video CODEC 615. The video CODEC 615 can then produceoutput signals for the display 610 and/or the speaker 614.

The computing device 600 also includes a network/bus interface 616 thatcouples to a data link 618. The data link 618 allows the computingdevice 600 to couple to another device (e.g., a host computer, a powersource, or an accessory device). The data link 618 can be provided overa wired connection or a wireless connection. In the case of a wirelessconnection, the network/bus interface 616 can include a wirelesstransceiver.

The various aspects, features, embodiments or implementations of theinvention described above can be used alone or in various combinations.Embodiments of the invention can, for example, be implemented bysoftware, hardware, or a combination of hardware and software.Embodiments of the invention can also be embodied as computer readablecode on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is anydata storage device that can store data, which can thereafter be read bya computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium generallyinclude read-only memory and random-access memory. More specificexamples of computer readable medium are tangible and include Flashmemory, EEPROM memory, memory card, CD-ROM, DVD, hard drive, magnetictape, and optical data storage device. The computer readable medium canalso be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that thecomputer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. However, it will become obviousto those skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced withoutthese specific details. The description and representation herein arethe common meanings used by those experienced or skilled in the art tomost effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled inthe art. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components,and circuitry have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring aspects of the present invention.

In the foregoing description, reference to “one embodiment”, “anembodiment”, “one example” means that a particular feature, structure,or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can beincluded in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances ofthe phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specificationare not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor areseparate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of otherembodiments. Further, the order of blocks in process flowcharts ordiagrams representing one or more embodiments of the invention do notinherently indicate any particular order nor imply any limitations inthe invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for controlling mobile gaming aplurality of mobile gaming devices while on a vehicle, each of theplurality of mobile gaming devices associated with a player, each of theplurality of mobile gaming devices having a wireless transceiver, thesystem comprising: at least one server provided on the vehicle andoperable to: receive data from one or more of the mobile gaming devices;determine if at least one of the plurality of mobile gaming devices islocated on the vehicle based on the received data from the one or moreof the mobile gaming devices; receive vehicle position data pertainingto a vehicle position, the vehicle position being a global locationrelative to earth; and determine if the vehicle position is located inat least one game play geographic region; and permit a game of chance tobe played on the at least one of the plurality of mobile gaming devicesif (i) the vehicle position is determined to be located in at least onegame play geographic region and (ii) the at least one of the pluralityof mobile gaming devices is determined to be located on the vehicle. 2.A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one server isoperable to: periodically update the vehicle position.
 3. A system asrecited in claim 2, wherein the at least one server is operable to:determine whether the game of chance is permitted to be played on eachof the plurality of mobile gaming devices based on at least the updatedvehicle position; and automatically terminate the game of chancecurrently played on each of the plurality of mobile gaming devices if itis determined that the game of chance is not permitted to be played oneach of the plurality of mobile gaming devices based on at least theupdated vehicle position.
 4. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein theat least one server is operable to: determine whether the game of chanceis permitted to be played on the at least one of the plurality of mobilegaming devices based on a predefined time rule; and enable the game ofchance on the at least one of the plurality of mobile gaming devices ifit is determined that the game of chance is permitted to be played basedon the predefined time rule.
 5. A system as recited in claim 1, whereinthe at least one server is operable to: determine whether the game ofchance is permitted to be played on the at least one of the plurality ofmobile gaming devices based on player information; and enable the gameof chance to be played on the at least one of the plurality of mobilegaming devices if it is determined that the game of chance is permittedto be played based on the player information.
 6. A system as recited inclaim 1, wherein said computer readable medium comprises: authenticate aplayer of at least one of the plurality of mobile gaming devices using abiometric verification.
 7. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein thegame of chance to be played in accordance with gaming rules, and whereinthe at least one server is operable to: access a gaming rules databaseto acquire the gaming rules to be used with the game of chance.
 8. Asystem as recited in claim 7, wherein the gaming rules database includesat least a plurality of predetermined gaming regions and at least onegaming rule that is dependent on the one of the predetermined gamingregions.
 9. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least oneserver is operable to: communicate with a player database configured tostore player information about a plurality of players, including theplayers of the plurality of mobile gaming devices; and individuallycontrol whether each of the plurality of mobile gaming devices ispermitted to play the game of chance based on the stored playerinformation in the player database.
 10. A method for controlling mobilegaming on a vehicle, comprising: obtaining a vehicle position of thevehicle; determining if the vehicle position is located in a game playgeographic region; obtaining a device position of at least one of aplurality of mobile gaming devices; determining if at least one of theplurality of mobile gaming devices is located on the vehicle based onthe device position for the at least one of the plurality of mobilegaming devices corresponding thereto; receiving a request to play a gameof chance from at least one of the plurality of mobile gaming devices;and enabling the game of chance to be played on the at least one of theplurality of mobile gaming devices if the determining determines thatthe vehicle position is located in a game play geographic region, andthe determining determines that the at least one of the plurality ofmobile gaming devices is located on the vehicle based on the deviceposition.
 11. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the methodcomprises: authenticating a player of at least one of the plurality ofmobile gaming devices using a biometric verification.
 12. A method asrecited in claim 11, wherein the game of chance to be played inaccordance with gaming rules, wherein the method comprises: accessing agaming rules database to acquire the gaming rules to be used with thegame of chance, and wherein the gaming rules database includes at leasta plurality of predetermined gaming regions and at least one gaming rulethat is dependent on the one of the predetermined gaming regions.
 13. Amethod as recited in claim 11, wherein the method comprises:communicating with a player database configured to store playerinformation about a plurality of players, including the players of theplurality of mobile gaming devices; and individually controlling whethereach of the plurality of mobile gaming devices is permitted to play thegame of chance based on the stored player information in the playerdatabase.
 14. A computer readable medium executable computer programcode stored thereon for controlling mobile gaming on or in a vehicle,said computer readable medium comprising: computer program code forobtaining a vehicle position of the vehicle; computer program code fordetermining if the vehicle position is located in a game play geographicregion; computer program code for obtaining a device position of atleast one of a plurality of mobile gaming devices; computer program codefor determining if at least one of the plurality of mobile gamingdevices is located at or on the vehicle based on the device position forthe at least one of the plurality of mobile gaming devices correspondingthereto; computer program code for receiving a request to play a game ofchance from at least one of the plurality of mobile gaming devices; andcomputer program code for enabling the game of chance to be played onthe at least one of the plurality of mobile gaming devices if thecomputer program code for determining determines that the vehicleposition is located in a game play geographic region, and the computerprogram code for determining determines that the at least one of theplurality of mobile gaming devices is located at or on the vehicle basedon the device position.
 15. A computer readable medium as recited inclaim 14, wherein the vehicle is a vessel.
 16. A computer readablemedium as recited in claim 15, wherein the vessel is a cruise ship. 17.A computer readable medium as recited in claim 14, wherein said computerreadable medium comprises: computer program code for periodicallyupdating the vehicle position.
 18. A computer readable medium as recitedin claim 17, wherein said computer readable medium comprises: computerprogram code for determining whether the game of chance is permitted tobe played on each of the plurality of mobile gaming devices based on atleast the updated vehicle position; and computer program code forautomatically terminating the game of chance currently played on each ofthe plurality of mobile gaming devices if the computer program code fordetermining determines that the game of chance is not permitted to beplayed on each of the plurality of mobile gaming devices based on atleast the updated vehicle position.
 19. A computer readable medium asrecited in claim 14, wherein said computer readable medium comprises:computer program code for determining whether the game of chance ispermitted to be played on the at least one of the plurality of mobilegaming devices based on a predefined time rule; and computer programcode for enabling the game of chance on the at least one of theplurality of mobile gaming devices if the computer program code fordetermining determines that the game of chance is permitted to be playedbased on the predefined time rule.
 20. A computer readable medium asrecited in claim 14, wherein said computer readable medium comprises:computer program code for determining whether the game of chance ispermitted to be played on the at least one of the plurality of mobilegaming devices based on player information; and computer program codefor enabling the game of chance to be played on the at least one of theplurality of mobile gaming devices if the computer program code fordetermining determines that the game of chance is permitted to be playedbased on the player information.
 21. A computer readable medium asrecited in claim 14, wherein said computer readable medium comprises:computer program code for authenticating a player of at least one of theplurality of mobile gaming devices using a biometric verification.
 22. Acomputer readable medium as recited in claim 14, wherein the game ofchance to be played in accordance with gaming rules, and wherein saidcomputer readable medium comprises: computer program code for accessinga gaming rules database to acquire the gaming rules to be used with thegame of chance.
 23. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 22,wherein the gaming rules database includes at least a plurality ofpredetermined gaming regions and at least one gaming rule that isdependent on the one of the predetermined gaming regions.
 24. A computerreadable medium as recited in claim 14, wherein said computer readablemedium comprises: computer program code for communicating with a playerdatabase configured to store player information about a plurality ofplayers, including the players of the plurality of mobile gamingdevices.
 25. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 24, whereinsaid computer readable medium comprises: computer program code forindividually controlling whether each of the plurality of mobile gamingdevices is permitted to play the game of chance based on the storedplayer information in the player database.